Imran Khan was born in Lahore in 1951 and received his initial education at Aitchison College, Lahore. He finished his high school at Royal Grammar School at Worcester in England where he excelled in cricket. Later he joined Keble College at Oxford University where he started playing first class cricket. He was selected to play for the Pakistan cricket team in 1970 and very soon made a permanent place for himself in the national side. During the seventies he became a leading fast bowler in the world and was rewarded with the Pakistan captaincy in 1981. Imran led Pakistan to numerous victories all over the world and finally clinched the World Cup in 1992. He then launched the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital project in memory of his mother. The Hospital became a national project and the entire nation contributed to it. Today SKMT is one of the leading institutions for free cancer treatment in the world and has received international recognition. In 1996 Imran, disgusted with the state of national politics, decided to form Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, of which he remains the Chairman.

Going Nowhereby Imran Khan

As a cricketer I toured India several times between 1977 to 1989 and I felt that it was a country going nowhere, with its highly centralized and over-bureaucratized inefficient governance system. I had never seen such poverty anywhere in the world. The infrastructure was decaying and Delhi and Calcutta were so polluted that playing cricket there was not a pleasant experience.

Compared to India, Pakistan looked a developed country. Our economic growth rate and per capita income had been higher for the previous four decades. Though Pakistanis were crazy about Indian films, our television was far superior, and we would thrash them regularly at hockey, squash and cricket despite being seven times smaller. Not surprisingly, the Indians had a Pakistan complex.

In the last year my two visits to India have come as a bit of a shock. India has overtaken Pakistan in per capita income while its economy is growing robustly at 8%. Delhi is being cleaned up, while Bombay is one of the most expensive real estates in the world. Poverty is decreasing. But above all and what is most striking is the growing self-belief of Indians. The Pakistan complex is gone and the Indians see themselves as a future superpower, as, indeed, does the world. They view their future with optimism and hope.

India has achieved this remarkable turnabout due to the strengthening of their democratic institutions. The self-corrective mechanism inbuilt in democracy has led to the evolution of two vital institutions: the Election Commission and the Judiciary. The other great quality of democracy is its capacity of debate and consensus building. Hence, around a decade ago, the political parties came to a common economic policy consensus to open up the stagnant socialistic model that had existed since independence. This insulated the investors from the political process and paved the way for investment and growth.

Secondly, the weakening of the Congress party and the emergence of regional players allowed decentralization and devolution of power enabling provincial chief ministers to compete against each other for investment. It was this healthy competition that led to the emergence of Bangalore as a software-exporting city.

Additionally, and unlike Pakistan, India has no political uncertainty as a powerful independent judiciary and Election Commission have always ensured a smooth transfer of power. In this year?s election some 350 million people went to the polls, knowing that their vote mattered. Only three constituencies complained of irregularities and a sitting government gracefully conceded defeat.

In stark contrast, since the 90s Pakistan has been going around in circles and heading nowhere. Our institutions and our democracy are sadly in an advanced state of decay. According to the UN Human Development Index Pakistan has slipped 20 places to 142 behind Nepal (which had 1% literacy in 1947) and Bangladesh. During the 9/11 Commission hearings in the US Senate, it emerged that Pakistan?s state school structure had collapsed. According EFA (Educatio for All), Pakistan has not met any of its targets and is bottom of the pile along with sub-Saharan Africa. In my constituency, Mianwali, out of the 470 government schools, 20% exist only on paper (i.e. there is nothing on ground), while 50% are closed, as there are no teachers. What future does a country have which does not invest in its people while the tiny elite hogs all the country?s resources?

Additionally, while every country in the sub-continent has reduced its poverty, in Pakistan it is rising sharply ? especially in the last few years. The governance system too is deteriorating as reflected by the finding of Transparency International; according to it corruption has gone up 20% in the last one year. And there is not much chance of governance improving when minister ships are not given on merit but dished out as political bribes. India, with its huge size has 26 federal ministers to Pakistan?s 136 army of ministers and those holding ministerial status.

The way things stand today there is little hope. We have a military dictatorship with a democratic fa硤e propped up by its civilian collaborators. When a military dictator tries to gain political legitimacy he can only do so by destroying all state institutions ? in the process doing far more damage than a straightforward dictatorship. Hence the constitution can only be mutilated through a pliant judiciary that endorses the doctrine of necessity. The Election Commission could only rig the elections to get the desired results by first installing a discredited election commissioner. When the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is used for keeping crooked politicians in line and victimize the opponents, it means another institution bites the dust. The local government system too has been created to support the military dictator rather than devolve power to the grassroots. Not only has the system failed to empower the grassroots but it has also resulted in being far more corrupt and inefficient than the previous system. In India the governance system has improved considerably through a genuine devolution of power from the center to the provinces, to the districts and right down to the village level.

However, the greatest damage done to the country is when, to perpetuate military dictatorship the establishment chooses ?controllables? to fill the top slots in the country. Since the easiest to control are crooked politicians whose files are lying with NAB, they have been installed in the most important positions. Also controllable are those who are incompetent or who do not have any power base in the country. How can any country or even any institution work if such are the criteria of those running the show. Are we surprised today if there is a moral collapse and the message to the youth is that crime pays? No wonder the law and order situation is deteriorating at an alarming rate.

Perhaps the most damaging blow dealt to the country?s self-belief and self-esteem is the shameless way our leadership has abandoned its sovereignty and forced a reluctant nation to be co-opted in a phony and immoral war on terror. Since the days of the Cold War the US realized that it is much easier to control, pressurize and manipulate dictators to serve their interests rather than democracies. Hence, while lecturing the world on the merits of democracy the US has supported, amongst others, all four Pakistani military dictators. But even the US government must have been taken aback by the way the current military dictator obliged to fulfill every US wish. Hence the fundamental rights of Pakistani citizens were violated as they were picked up and handed over to the FBI without allowing them to appear in a court of law to prove their innocence. There were extra-judicial killings of others, while under US pressure our own soldiers and our own citizens are being killed in Waziristan every day in the so-called war on terror with far reaching adverse consequences for our federation. All this is being done under the Musharraf ?no choice? doctrine. The nation is being scared into submission and told that unless we bow to every US demand we will be ?Tora Boraed?.

Moreover, to serve US interests and accept total subservience and loss of sovereignty, a new terminology has been invented to put to rest troubled consciences and moral outrage at the injustices being done against Muslims in Iraq, Palestine, Chechnya and Kashmir. New terms like ?Pakistan First?, ?pragmatism? and ?enlightened moderation? are being coined to make slavery more palatable. In its attempt to convince the West that we are a moderate country the regime is promoting the blind aping of western culture. Hence a modern Muslim is not who has an enlightened understanding of Islam like the Great Iqbal but who is a western clone. Both Raza Shah in Iran and Kemal Ataturk in Turkey tried such superficial attempts at modernity by forcing western clothes on their people. Both failed. Can a country ever modernize when there is no quest for knowledge and when its education system is decaying?

Since 9/11, through the servile behavior and fear-driven policy U-turns of our current leadership, national self-confidence has been badly shaken and is at its lowest ebb. In fact, the very reason for the creation of Pakistan is being questioned. A few days ago while visiting India the leader of a major coalition party in government rubbished the Two-Nation Theory and hence the reason for our existence by claiming that the partition of India in 1947 was a great injustice to the people of the sub-continent. Such is our state of demoralization today that even the custodians of our ?geographical and ideological frontiers? are silent at this outrage by a leader of the coalition cobbled together and patronized by them. India, on the other hand, fiercely protects its sovereignty and allows no interference by the US in its internal affairs. When some US official visits India they meet only their counterparts in rank, while in Pakistan they are received by President downwards and every official literally falls on his knees to pay his respects. Can a nation without a clear vision, self-esteem and self-belief have a future?

Our country is extremely viable and has great potential only if our establishment realizes that our future lies in strengthening our institutions and not by destroying them by manipulation to concentrate all powers in one man. Sadly, our establishment has learnt nothing from its past mistakes and is condemned to repeat them again and again. Hence, the opposition has a vital role to play. It should cast aside its differences and fight for the independence of the three vital state institutions; judiciary, election commission, and the NAB to pave the way for democracy, political stability, and economic progress in the country.

ELEVEN REASONS WHY I STILL BELIEVE IN Pakistanby Imran Khan

In the past two months two of our top doctors at SKMCH & RC resigned to seek employment abroad, because both felt that Pakistan has no future. The numbers of professionals and businessmen who are being "brain – drained" is increasing at an alarming rate. Most people are losing hope in Pakistan, where a fascist Govt. has gripped all levers of power, and yet is completely ill-equipped to deal with the multi-crises facing the country. The despondency is compounded by the fact that there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. However despite this atmosphere of gloom and doom there are eleven reasons why I still believe that Pakistan has a bright future.

Nation - ready for change 1. My main reason for optimism stems from the fact that today the people of Pakistan are ready for a change. Whether it is the posh dinning rooms or the truck restaurants by the roadside or the tea stalls, everywhere the consensus is that we cannot go on any longer with the current system. While people may differ on what type of change, yet everyone agrees that to survive, change we must. This is extremely encouraging, as it is only matter of time before the winds of change turn into a gale force and sweep away those upholding the status quo. According to the Quran "Never has Allah changed the condition of a people unless they strive for it themselves."

Vast amount of talent 2. Pakistanis are an extremely talented and a vibrant people. Wherever, they have got a level playing field they have excelled. In the past 25 years I have witnessed their talents blossom all over the world. In systems where merit + hardwork are awarded they have become outstanding doctors, engineers, bankers, businessmen, scientists even sportsmen. According to a survey in 1996 amongst all the ethnic groups residing in the USA, academically, Pakistanis were amongst the top two. There was an article in Britains Daily Mail newspaper on 16th October ‘ 98 about "Britains Brightest family". It was about a Pakistani couple all of whose four children were geniuses. Also lets not forget that the late Dr. Abdus Salaam the Nobel Prize winner in physics was a Pakistani. Moreover it was the Pakistani businessmen who took over the textile trade in Manchester, which for decades had been a Jewish Monopoly. In the silicon Valley in the US a number of Pakistani businessmen like Farooq Bajwa + Saifi Qureshi have done extremely well in the computer industry. In international institutions like the U.N, World Bank & IMF. Pakistanis, have reached prominent positions through their hard work and talent. In the late sixties, early 70s it was six or seven Pakistani cricketers who started playing in the English County Cricket. After excelling there, they came back to make Pakistan a cricketing force.So I strongly believe that if we can develop our systems, liberate the people from the corrupt politicians and stifling bureaucracy, award honesty & hard work and allow the potential of our people to develop (especially by investing in education) we can become a proud, independent, self-respecting nation.

Need for change of system 3. The corrupt ruling elite has created great despondency amongst the people by giving the impression that it is hopeless to fight corruption because everyone is corrupt. Nawaz Sharif has repeatedly made statements to this effect "Awa Ka Awa Corrupt Ha". During the past decade both Nawaz Sharif and Bibi defended their personal corruption, not by trying to prove their innocence but by calling the accuser corrupt.I believe a Govt. which has integrity and determination can crush corruption by conducting a ruthless accountability of those who have corrupted the system as opposed to those who have been corrupted by the system. The former are those who have been in power, and who have used their position to make fortunes. The latter, however should be given amnesties. How can the law treat a businessmen who is forced to pay bribes by Govt. depts or for example a Govt. servant with a salary of Rs. 5000 supporting five children, in the same way as a politician who uses his position to loot nationalised banks, development funds, gets commissions and kick backs from money that belongs to the people of this country?

Accountability, liberalisation of the economy, alongwith structural changes in our system of governance (like decentralisation, a lean well paid bureaucracy, a conflict of interest law, freedom of information, transparency, independent accountability commission) can rid our society from the curse of corruption. Pakistanis abroad live as law abiding citizens because unlike in Pakistan the systems there ensures that crime does not pay.

Determination to improve the law and order situation

4. I am also confident that a determined Govt. can dramatically improve our law and order situations. Police and judicial reforms will have to be conducted immediately. If in both institution selection is made on merit, free of political interference and have decent salaries, there is no reason why their performance will not dramatically improve. A law commission that includes retired judges, prominent citizens plus Govt. representatives, instead of the law ministry, would be a first step towards the freedom of the judiciary. The judiciary in Singapore in the 60s was as corrupt as in Pakistan, it took one dynamic chief Justice of integrity backed by a visionary head of state, to make it one of the most respected in the world. We may not agree with the Taleban interpretation of Islam but the way they have managed to restore a complete rule of law in an incredibly short time, in a country where every institution had been destroyed by years of war, is extremely commendable. To simply attribute the Taleban’s success to harsh punishments is being naive. The reasons for their success are first and foremost that no one, including the leadership of the Taleban, is above law. Secondly the laws are enforced. Only once the rule of law was established were the Taleban able to disarm the entire country. Why can’t we establish law and order when our task is relatively easier?

5. Tax collection

The root cause of our present economic crisis is our inability to collect enough tax revenues – hence our debt trap. According to various estimates of our tax commissions we barely collect 25% of our tax potential – the rest is evaded. The main reason is that the privileged classes have never paid their share of taxes. Through various tax exemptions that they have provided themselves, the privileged classes have creamed off the wealth of this country. Naturally the majority of the people resist paying taxes, when they see the ruling elite not only evading taxes but also living in luxury on their taxes. Reforming the tax dept, removing all exemptions for the privileged, punishing evaders, having fewer, lower and equitable taxes, can more than double our tax revenues. After all if Uganda could raise its tax revenues by 500%, and Argentina which has high level of corruption, could raise its tax – GDP ratio from 9% to 21% in two years because of President Menem’s determined leadership, then why can’t we raise our tax GDP ratio from 13% to 26% and balance our budget.

Smaller autonomous units 6. Because there is no separation of the executive and legislature and because there is no conflict of interest law, our parliament has degenerated into various mafias whose sole reason for being there is to protect their personal interests. By bribing the legislators with plots, permits, bank loans, development funds, etc., a prime minister can control them, and in doing so, remove all checks and balances on his power. Thus Nawaz Sharif has become a complete dictator. Pakistan can only have real democracy by separating the legislature from the executive and simultaneously developing a system of local Govt. (which is the cornerstone of western democracies). A national debate needs to take place on whether the size of our provinces needs to be reduced. Bear in mind that in terms of population, the size of Pakistani provinces is the largest in the world. Good governance is clearly not possible unless the administrative units are much smaller. Switzerland which has the same population as Lahore has 26 cantons – each having greater autonomy, than even possessed by the states in the US.

Fertile Soil 7. Pakistan is endowed with extremely fertile soil. I was told by an Australian water & soil expert, that the top soil in Australia rarely exceeds six inches. While according to him, in parts of the Indus Basin it as much as six feet deep. By introducing modern farming practices, seed development, providing credit to the small farmers, lining the canals, building farm to market roads and above all by giving incentives to the farmer with a proper pricing policy, we can more than double our agriculture output in a short space of time. If the East Punjab farmer can produce twice the amount from the same quality of land, why can’t we?

Tourists attractions 8. Pakistan is endowed with the most diverse and beautiful countryside in the world. The Northern Areas, the salt range, Hazara and Malakand divisions, the Balouchistan Coastline, Cholistan Desert are all areas that can be developed for tourism and can bring prosperity to the country and especially to the inhabitants of the regions. However, certain steps need to be taken immediately if we are to preserve our beautiful country. Firstly we have to control our population through female literacy and a powerful campaign through the mosques (as has been done in Bangladesh & Egypt).Secondly large areas have to be set aside as national parks where wild life has to be protected and reintroduced. Thirdly proper planning needs to be done where model villages are developed for the inhabitants with all the amenities, rather than sprinkling of homes all over, which ruins the landscape & environment. Above all the people of the area must have an incentive in protecting their forests and environment. They must be made to realize that if they protect their environment than they stand to benefit from both local and foreign tourism.

Overseas Pakistanis - greatest resource 9. If we can develop a just system of governance based on merit and minus the redtapism, than we can tap into our greatest resource — the overseas Pakistanis. According to Shahid Javed Burki, the annual income (GDP) of the estimated 4 million overseas Pakistanis is around $ 60 billion. Their savings are likely to be twice as much. Imagine the impact it will have on Pakistan if a portion of their capital and their talent comes back into the country. The overseas Pakistanis not only understand western systems but also through the information highway, have tremendous awareness about what is going on in their motherland, and therefore cannot be fooled by gimmicks like the Qarza Utaro or Self Reliance Scheme. Yet if they see structural reforms and good governance they will invest heavily in the country — Just as overseas Chinese and Latin Americans invested in their respective countries. If in 7 days the Pakistanis in USA could give $ 400,000 to SKMT, imagine what they can do for their beloved country if they got sufficiently motivated?

Strong family system 10. The breakdown of the family is one of the biggest problems facing the western world. Crime, drug addiction, psychiatric problems, school dropouts, poor academic results are all connected to high divorce rates. Fortunately in Pakistan our family system is still intact. Were it not for the extended family system in Pakistan, we would have had a complete collapse of society by now, with anarchy and bloodshed at a massive scale, given the high level of inflation, unemployment and injustice in the absence of a social security net. Our capability of facing all sort of hardships is due to a strong family system. Hence we have the foundations to build a humane and civilised society.

Unity 11. Finally it is my personal experience that gives me great hope for Pakistan. In cricket I was part of a team that became a world-beater despite there being no organised structure of cricket in the country. However I did find that having talent alone was not enough – we only became a force when we united and played as team, and that is what is needed to make Pakistan a great nation.After cricket I saw another side of our people when the whole country united to build a cancer hospital in Lahore. During the fund raising campaign I was simply astounded and overwhelmed by the generosity of the common man (as opposed to the tight fistedness of our elite). I discovered that our people are deeply spiritual and capable of enormous sacrifices for their fellow human beings. I am convinced that we can set up free health and education system for the poor, just on Zakat—provided the people believe in the credibility of the government. I do not know of any country where a private cancer hospital gives 90% free treatment and which is funded almost entirely by people’s Zakat and donations. The people of this country will unite and give great scarifies behind a leadership that is sincere and just, and once they are mobilised the dream of Quaid-e-Azam of making Pakistan a model Islamic welfare state will be fulfilled.

With the morons currently in line for leadership (BB, NS, etc), Imran Khan is our only chance to get rid of corruption and what not (after Musharraf and Aziz); but he has to drop his democracy crap and became a firm and strong willed leader. He also needs to adopt a permament policy/view point, push for womens' and childrens' rights, strong/consistent and successive economic policies. Imran Khan must also realize the need for the military and ensure it stays up to par.

Currently, I'd only choose Imran Khan if he was up against BB, NS or any other moron; my support would be out of desperation, not admiration. Since Imran Khan rejected Musharraf's proposal, its safe to assume that the PML-Q is conditioning their younger politicians and officers to continue with Musharraf's policies.

Admirable ideas indeed. I do not doubt his intentions. However for Imran to be a leader he needs to be more than that. He's yet too immature to be a leader, he needs to tone down his many rhetorics and start being more diplomatic.

Most important part of being a leader is have a good aides. Currently, Mush is leading the pack.

Most important part of being a leader is have a good aides. Currently, Mush is leading the pack.

Although I agree with the rest of your message, however, regarding having 'good' aides..... well, I don't know if you consider having MQM thugs and the feudal Chaudharies as your aides is 'good'. However, I do agree that Mush is leading when it comes to having such 'good' aides in his pocket.

Although I agree with the rest of your message, however, regarding having 'good' aides..... well, I don't know if you consider having MQM thugs and the feudal Chaudharies as your aides is 'good'. However, I do agree that Mush is leading when it comes to having such 'good' aides in his pocket.

my friend, I was referring to aides/team such as shaukat aziz etc. political entities such as chaudries etc. are the parasites of the country's growth. unfortunately such ppl are required if u have to survive in the current political system.

Although I agree with the rest of your message, however, regarding having 'good' aides..... well, I don't know if you consider having MQM thugs and the feudal Chaudharies as your aides is 'good'. However, I do agree that Mush is leading when it comes to having such 'good' aides in his pocket.

go tell your jaahil qaum to stop voting for these people and perhaps we'll stop seeing them in office. democracy doesnt mean you're going to get something suitable all the time. the corrupt republican senators come into office all the time. they manage to secure votes until they're finally voted out. until the Pakistani population doesnt vote out the chaudhry's, its not up to musharraf to do so. and finally, as for imran khan, what can i say: he voted for fazlur rahman as PM. this man is a complete retard. he should never be given a leadership position. and he never will, he's an elitist who now tries to act as if he's 'of the people.' he may have good intentions, but he has no clue on what to say and how to say it. sorry to burst your bubble. imran khan is destined for mediocrity.

Imran Khan is probably the best person after Musharraf and Shaukat Aziz, but they guy is a retard. He has absolutely no agneda for the country (he has a vision, but he doesn't have the skill to complete it). The only two people that can manage Pakistan are Musharraf and Shaukat Aziz. I don't think we should be surprised if Pervex Musharraf comes to office again in 2007 (you can always count on the ISI to tinker with the votes like in the last election ).

He voted for fazlur rahman as PM....I think that about all sums it up!

Blessed be the sacred land, Happy be the bounteous realm, Symbol of high resolve, Land of Pakistan. Blessed be thou citadel of faith. The Order of this Sacred Land Is the might of the brotherhood of the people. May the nation, the country, and the State Shine in glory everlasting. Blessed be the goal of our ambition. This flag of the Crescent and the Star Leads the way to progress and perfection, Interpreter of our past, glory of our present, Inspiration of our future, Symbol of Almighty's protection.

a few days back a tv compare asked imran about BB and NZ's idea <or was that a blame on them,whateva it still got to headlines in india times etc> of finishing the borders and making Pakistan and india ONE.

he said.

i was expecting a serious and intelligent reply. instead he was as confused as any Pakistani politician

and i was like stunned at it... what the hecks gone wrong with our leaders <leaders???> what about two-nation theory..what about our grand fathers blood..what about Pakistan as a fort of islam..

$hit!!! we are seriously lacking a leader.

*************************************************- There is not a single writer who shall not perish - But the words his hands wrote forever shall stay - So write not anything except that which - You shall be pleased to see on Judgement Day

What a statement to come out with that rings of betrayal about the very idea of Pakistan. Mr Khan the last time I looked and I was BORN AND RASIED IN THE EU our neighbours [me being in the UK] were not killing their minorities by the thousands with the state involved itself. They were not fighting multiple wars with each other in their recent histories. They were not strangling the very life line of other memberstates like India is doing with the water issue [see Bangladesh]. They were not hurling massive amounts of venom at each other in the international press. Also more importantly they were not occupying a neighbour’s vast amount of land against the very will of the population and unleashing hell one earth on them for asking for their basic rights. Even the basic premises of such an idea can NEVER happen as our people in Kashmir are not free and India does threaten the very existence of Pakistan.

TO HELL WITH YOUR IDEA AND YOUR LEADERSHIP ASPERATIONS...

You have just spat on the very graves of our founding fathers with your statement and the millions of lives that were lost in the creation of our nation.

Blessed be the sacred land, Happy be the bounteous realm, Symbol of high resolve, Land of Pakistan. Blessed be thou citadel of faith. The Order of this Sacred Land Is the might of the brotherhood of the people. May the nation, the country, and the State Shine in glory everlasting. Blessed be the goal of our ambition. This flag of the Crescent and the Star Leads the way to progress and perfection, Interpreter of our past, glory of our present, Inspiration of our future, Symbol of Almighty's protection.

The topic was " Imran Khan - The Man Who Could Be The Next King?, Can / Should[u] Imran Khan succeed Musharraf ?"

Nowhere above was it suggested that I wanted Imran Khan to be the next PM or Pres. The objective was to ponder over whether he can or should succeed Shaukat or Musharraf.

So if you're feeling really hot then I suggest you jerk it off or take a cold shower. The later would be better.
Moreover, regarding "go tell your jaahil qaum",,,,,, sunny boy, tum ungraiz ki aulad ho kya?. Yeh tumhari bhi utni hi qaum hay jitni meri qaum hay, and regardless of how they are, I am proud to belong to this qaum - the Pakistani Qaum. Pity you feel embarrased to belong to this qaum which has sacrificed so much.

yes, thank you for clarifying the topic for me again, since i obviously can't read. no where did i suggest that you were implying that you wanted imran to be the next PM or president. i was just expressing my personal view on his political career. if that made YOU hot, perhaps you should take the cold shower. and finally, no i'm not an 'angrayz ki aulad.' i am very proud of my nationality, but not so proud of what our people have done to the nation. to me, those two things are separable. maybe not for you. it was our people who brought benazir and nawaz sharif to office twice, its our people who vote for your favorite party, the MQM. it was our people who vote for chaudhry pervez and cousin shujaat. it was our people who voted for sheikh rashid. if thats not jahaalat then OK. mind you, jaahalat is not meant always to be a condescending term. it simply means 'ignorant.' our people are ignorant because of their situation. for that, i dont blame them one bit. that can be blamed on successive governments. but the fact remains that the qaum is jaahil.

That is the most unkind cut of em all for Pakistan First. He has a whole thread dedicated to MQM's evilness 'The serpant rises it's head again'. Which has become a monologue now.

"....What the Ulama have forgotten is their role in creating a good human being. I don't even mean a good Muslim. Whether Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu- what matters is the creation of a good person above all else: Someone who obeys the law, has a respect for the fundamental rights and needs of others, has a sense of social obligation and duty. When such individuals are around, creating an Islamic society that is just and equal is easy..........."

Syed Haider Farooq Maudoodi the son of Syed Maulana Maudoodi, founder of the Jamaat-e Islami

My opinion on Imran Khan is that he was a great cricketer and good playboy; he has built a hospital in memory of his mother because he was able to use his fame and connections to gather the resources. His politics is more emotional and idealistic and not what Pakistan needs now or ever. Mr. Khan plays the religious card to suit his own purposes but failed to apply that religious standard in his own very public life in the west. Imrans education is the best available but what did he study and what result did he attain? Can Mr. Khan succeed President Musharraf? I sincerely hope not. Mr. Khan has proved he is naive and far too reckless with his outbursts against the Government of Pakistan while using Islam to bolster his popularity with the common folk. A purely cynical exercise of religious blackmail a degree below the Jammat Ul Islam to win over the good Muslims of Pakistan is the best that Mr. Khan seems to offer.

QUOTE

Nation - ready for change 1. My main reason for optimism stems from the fact that today the people of Pakistan are ready for a change. Whether it is the posh dinning rooms or the truck restaurants by the roadside or the tea stalls, everywhere the consensus is that we cannot go on any longer with the current system. While people may differ on what type of change, yet everyone agrees that to survive, change we must. This is extremely encouraging, as it is only matter of time before the winds of change turn into a gale force and sweep away those upholding the status quo. According to the Quran "Never has Allah changed the condition of a people unless they strive for it themselves."

Very good words what do they mean practically? Change, change, change, and then come around full circle to where we were in the first place? Basically anyone who eats in Pakistan wants to change the ‘system’…umm o.k. so why don’t they come out on to the streets when Mr. Khan wails in public about how bad life is in Pakistan? Other people around the world have mobilized in their own interests and removed their governments for far less. Seems to be a dodgy consensus or Mr. Khan convinces himself there is one.

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Vast amount of talentSo I strongly believe that if we can develop our systems, liberate the people from the corrupt politicians and stifling bureaucracy, award honesty & hard work and allow the potential of our people to develop (especially by investing in education) we can become a proud, independent, self-respecting nation.

This is real quality stuff from Mr. Khan who obviously forgets that the system in place in Pakistan allowed him to be the star he is and has also given donations to his hospital. Considering it’s a charity and it’s functioning with the money of the poor Pakistanis who are sparing money to give to his hospital in the vain memory of his mother. Talking about self respect it would have been a more genuine gesture towards the people of the Pakistan had he contributed to help the poor before his own personal tragedy. I strongly believe that once Mr. Khan does the sums and thinks about where he will get the money to ‘liberate’ the people he will understand that Pakistan is now a nation that demands more than empty slogans. If Mr. Khan can make his hospital a self financing institution that does not need charity then he has half a chance of convincing the people of Pakistan that he can run the country. The sad fact is that his hospital is run on donations and charity which shows a lack of imagination on his part to finance his hospital.

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Need for change of system

Accountability, liberalisation of the economy, along with structural changes in our system of governance (like decentralisation, a lean well paid bureaucracy, a conflict of interest law, freedom of information, transparency, independent accountability commission) can rid our society from the curse of corruption. Pakistanis abroad live as law abiding citizens because unlike in Pakistan the systems there ensures that crime does not pay.

Mr. Khan is part of that system he keeps berating. Again changing of the system sounds awfully appealing but change into what? People in other countries that abide by the law do so because of the threat of prosecution and the knowledge that the resources of the state will allow the state to carry the matter towards punishment. Mr. Khan should again do the sums on how much other countries spend on their law and order in comparison to Pakistan, also a useful link is the Pakistan Government website that shows Pakistan’s freedom of information act is already far too lenient compared to the USA, UK and India.

QUOTE

Determination to improve the law and order situation

4. The judiciary in Singapore in the 60s was as corrupt as in Pakistan, it took one dynamic chief Justice of integrity backed by a visionary head of state, to make it one of the most respected in the world. We may not agree with the Taleban interpretation of Islam but the way they have managed to restore a complete rule of law in an incredibly short time, in a country where every institution had been destroyed by years of war, is extremely commendable. To simply attribute the Taleban’s success to harsh punishments is being naive. The reasons for their success are first and foremost that no one, including the leadership of the Taleban, is above law. Secondly the laws are enforced. Only once the rule of law was established were the Taleban able to disarm the entire country. Why can’t we establish law and order when our task is relatively easier?

Singapore’s system is a worthy example of the ruling elite taking complete control of the nation and pounding the opposition into submission using all the state machinery including the justice dept. Mr. Khan sees nothing odd about a democracy that has only one party winning most of the time and the opposition in some elections getting no seats at all because they were not allowed to contest the elections because they ‘broke’ the law?As for the Taliban and their successes in restoring complete law and order in a country that had been at war for over two decades and over 4 years of civil war by setting an example of piousness is preposterous. The Taliban gained complete control of the country because of the support of Pakistan to provide adequate resources to remove the influence of the warlords. Yes that same Pakistan whose ‘system’ is so bad, that same Pakistan that is so corrupt and so crime ridden. Yup that same Pakistan that allows politicians to paint Pakistan in the most negative light irrespective of the strides Pakistan has made. And we can go on and on. Mr. Khan is simply too naive and too idealistic to lead a nation like Pakistan. Pakistan has passed the time of ‘populist political marketing’ and on to doing what is in the nation’s interest. How many more prisons will he make and how many more courts and how many new police officers and how will the state provide their pay increases while at the same time paying for higher quality training and buying all the equipment to cover the whole country(since this childish notion that the whole of Pakistan can be cured simultaneously right across the spectrum means that no one area will be without any of the resources needed in keeping corruption out, otherwise it will mean that Mr. Khans government will be open to charges of corruption. As Mr. Khan tends to point out about the present government of Pakistan)The end justifies the means. Mr. Khan was offered the position of Prime Minister he refused because his principles come before the nation and its people. Very good for Mr. Khan he now has plenty of time to come up with real policies and more fantastic visions of Pakistan at leisure. To be taken seriously Mr. Khan has to show how he intends to make the money that will be spent on his ideas and where the cuts will be made if he can’t generate the money Meanwhile, Mr. Aziz is doing the hard work and making the changes that are pushing the nation forward.

Dont you love these people of ours, they dont simply give a damn. Dangeriously outspoken, This is why i say we are more democratic and more diverse than the pethatic neighbour in our east.

Gotta agree with you on that. In the first look PDF might be intimidating for new comers, but i have found this forum to be more tolerating and democartic than alot of other 'demoracies'. The latest example being that zeron's complaint and moderators were all ears to his complaint.

"....What the Ulama have forgotten is their role in creating a good human being. I don't even mean a good Muslim. Whether Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu- what matters is the creation of a good person above all else: Someone who obeys the law, has a respect for the fundamental rights and needs of others, has a sense of social obligation and duty. When such individuals are around, creating an Islamic society that is just and equal is easy..........."

Syed Haider Farooq Maudoodi the son of Syed Maulana Maudoodi, founder of the Jamaat-e Islami

Imran Khan's only hope is to join the PML-Q and take out toe corruption from within; become strong willed and firm. If he wants to destroy corruption and what not but not join Musharraf - then he should take out the corruption within the opposition.

Now in recent days i have seen IMRAn Khan seen mmore on TV in current affairs program , and i think if there is any real threat to the present goverment from with in Pakistan as a person who can get masses togeather its IMRAN KHAN and you people think he is unpopular yes he is but not in the educated society people who have things and brain to think , yes he hasnt been popular with the masses because sadly alot of over people are illetrate , Now that he will soon meet with the NS in coming weeks he will definitly have the right of him as PP is going for a deal with govermnet.
Now another factor for what i think govt wont oppse him for coming the mainsty of govermnet
1 he is not a Mullah
2 he comes from a liberal back ground
3. he stands not as anti america but as some one who says i m not anti Pakistan
4 he can get the votes of mma as he is with them alligned

Now what i see is a true opposition leader in next elections or even dramtically a PRIME MINISTER
Now the things he stands for i m in total agreeness with him
futhermore i see no more space of BN or NS
but i do c alot of support for IMRAN KHAN and defintly his moto of politicans has also improved

And i think he will bei a person who can bring the best out of Pakistani nation , ( b/w her ex-wife going has also benifted him politically as people used to say him A JEW AGENT but they made a nice couple )

[b] and i say more that it is that Pakistani MEDIA HAS STARTED GIVING HIM MORE AND MORE COVERAGE AND Y SO I GUESS even the establisment is promoting him as a person in case some thing might just make musharraf quiet

QUOTE(aziqbal @ Jul 6 2006, 03:44 PM)

I vote for Shahid Afridi

P.S. [b]Now i think it was supposed to bei a serious forum where we cant pull out crap but still

Now in recent days i have seen IMRAn Khan seen mmore on TV in current affairs program , and i think if there is any real threat to the present goverment from with in Pakistan as a person who can get masses togeather its IMRAN KHAN and you people think he is unpopular yes he is but not in the educated society people who have things and brain to think , yes he hasnt been popular with the masses because sadly alot of over people are illetrate , Now that he will soon meet with the NS in coming weeks he will definitly have the right of him as PP is going for a deal with govermnet.
Now another factor for what i think govt wont oppse him for coming the mainsty of govermnet
1 he is not a Mullah
2 he comes from a liberal back ground
3. he stands not as anti america but as some one who says i m not anti Pakistan
4 he can get the votes of mma as he is with them alligned

Now what i see is a true opposition leader in next elections or even dramtically a PRIME MINISTER
Now the things he stands for i m in total agreeness with him
futhermore i see no more space of BN or NS
but i do c alot of support for IMRAN KHAN and defintly his moto of politicans has also improved

And i think he will bei a person who can bring the best out of Pakistani nation , ( b/w her ex-wife going has also benifted him politically as people used to say him A JEW AGENT but they made a nice couple )

[b] and i say more that it is that Pakistani MEDIA HAS STARTED GIVING HIM MORE AND MORE COVERAGE AND Y SO I GUESS even the establisment is promoting him as a person in case some thing might just make musharraf quiet

I do agree with most of what you have said. This guy has the appeal, the education, the charisma, but the thing he lacks is consistency. Its time he learns some politics and atleast be consistent in his decision making.

One more thing........... it is one thing to have a pro-religious mindset but totally another thing to advertise it on loudspeakers. These are volatile times. One should be careful of what he utters on the media. He should take a line from the Turkish Prime Minister.

I do agree with most of what you have said. This guy has the appeal, the education, the charisma, but the thing he lacks is consistency. Its time he learns some politics and atleast be consistent in his decision making.

One more thing........... it is one thing to have a pro-religious mindset but totally another thing to advertise it on loudspeakers. These are volatile times. One should be careful of what he utters on the media. He should take a line from the Turkish Prime Minister.

SO basically what it comes down to is,his political maturity rather than a question of sincerity.But is that what we need.Whether anyone likes it or not,ppl like chaudharies are the most political and diplomatic people in the country,can make peace with anyone for their needs,but are they desirable?????

I think his problem is that hes being too antiMusharraf rather than talking abt himself and his goals.Negative politics.BUT in a dictatorship,and with a population like ours,can u really blame the guy for losing it sometimes? BTW,hes an elitist??? certainly not like the others?mushy from nazam abad,ur middle class guy is way more corrupt,amassing wealth himself.Last time i checked,Imran's probably done the most charitable work,hes one of the top Pakistnais in that category,right behind edhi.I still love him,bcoz of his sincerity and good intentions.An evil person can never change his nature,but an honest person can correct and learn from his mistakes.As far as voting for fazlur rehman is concerned,mush made an alliance with them as well,i dont see ppl saying anything abt that????????Thats probably the only time he gave up his stance for diplomacy to strengthen the opposition.

Last time i checked,Imran's probably done the most charitable work,hes one of the top Pakistnais in that category,right behind edhi.

I still love him,bcoz of his sincerity and good intentions.An evil person can never change his nature,but an honest person can correct and learn from his mistakes.As far as voting for fazlur rehman is concerned,mush made an alliance with them as well,i dont see ppl saying anything abt that????????Thats probably the only time he gave up his stance for diplomacy to strengthen the opposition.

Yes indeed. Imran Khan has that 'charity and philanthropy' element that is lacking in almost every other of our politicians. Despite his political immaturity, we need a guy like him as our premier. Ofcourse, it is never a one man show. The premier has his team of advisor just as Musharraf has. It is the quality of team that you build around you that matters. And with the education he has and the disciplined professionalism that he possesses, he is capable of doing that very much.

I see him on rise bercause he stands for issuses and if Pakistan;s literay rate was higher than what is IMRAN would have beeen more popular ...... i belive he can bring change if in power because he doesnt have bradrie which has long tradition of politics

One man cannot do anything .... be it Musharraf, Nawaz, Bhutto, Imran Khan ..... its up to all ..... i repeat ALL OF US PAKISTANIS to endeavor towards the development, security, prosperity of our people and our country.

........ when the first drop of a Munafiq's blood drops in the Kaa'bah ........

........ the Black Flags Army shall rise from Khurasan and commence its earth rumbling march toward Damishque. Any force that tries to come in its path, shall be destroyed with ruthless destruction. Awaiting, upon reaching Damishque, the safron and beads of pearls and the Black Turban that shall lead the Salah of Fajr .........

........ the stones and trees of Lud shall cry out to the Black Flags and tell them of the Munafiqs, Yahuds and Kuffar that are hiding behind them, to come and kill them. That day shall be the day of reckoning, the day of justice, the day when no power shall hold and unfair advantage. The battle shall be fought and won by way of faith ........

another rant from the 'playboy' turned closet mullah. whats he been smoking?

PML-N, JI, PTI not to boycott polls: Imran

By Baqir Sajjad Syed

ISLAMABAD, Dec 12: The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Jamaat-i-Islami and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf have agreed to launch a joint campaign against the government, claiming that it would not hold free and fair polls. They however have decided not to boycott the elections.

“We have decided not to play on President Pervez Musharraf’s pitch,” PTI chief Imran Khan told a press conference. The decision was taken during Mr Khan’s recent visit to Britain where he met former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The three parties would try to garner the support of other opposition groups.

PTI chief expressed the hope that the movement would be able to get rid of President Musharraf because the call was the first “clear signal from opposition parties to the masses for a (anti-government) movement”. Comparing it with previous protest calls, he said the earlier ones had fizzled out because they had been given by ‘one or two parties’ and lacked the support of ‘joint opposition’.

However, he clarified that it did not mean boycotting polls. The PTI chief feared that the government was planning what he termed controlled elections which, he said, were not acceptable. Hence, it was decided that instead of preparing for elections a movement should be launched against the president, he said and added that the best option before them was to go out to the masses.

"We are also reaching out to other opposition parties to invite them to join the movement that will be launched in a few weeks," Mr Khan said. Mr Sharif would be inviting Pakistan People’s Party and other ARD parties to the movement, while Mr Khan had been assigned the task of getting MMA and Ponam aboard.

The PTI chief said he had spoken with Qazi Hussain Ahmed and he had assured him of the JI’s ‘full support’.

He urged opposition groups to look for ways for keeping the opposition a cohesive force as government-sponsored elements were out to create rift between them. "We understand that the Charter of Democracy provides a minimum agenda for all opposition parties to get together."

Referring to the Transparency International’s corruption perception index, Mr Khan said it was very much clear that corruption had crossed pre-1999 coup level. It was ‘very much expected’ because of Musharraf’s policy of running the government through ‘controllables’.

Lashing out at President Musharraf, the PTI chief said, he was weakening institutions, politicising bureaucracy and undermining sovereignty to prolong his tenure.WHAT!!!!

Inbisaat yousaf or ex mrs yousaf salahuddin wrote book about imran khan with quite nice stuff about himdid anybody read it i just read one excerpt from it quite unbelievable.anyone who has gone through itto please throw some light on the matter. point to be remembered is nature never changes

A lovely combo would be Imran Khan as the Premier with Mohammadmian Soomro (the ex-banker) as the President and Ahsan Saleem Hayat as the COA. Shaukat Aziz should take charge of the finance portfolio and continue the good work in improving our Economy and Financial Health.

A lovely combo would be Imran Khan as the Premier with Mohammadmian Soomro (the ex-banker) as the President and Ahsan Saleem Hayat as the COA. Shaukat Aziz should take charge of the finance portfolio and continue the good work in improving our Economy and Financial Health.

Perhaps maybe the US is thinking in those terms. I don't know if US would like Imran Khan to be the PM. But I personally think if Imran could make it there, he might be just what we need to bring peace into the country. Remember his comments on law and order issue in the country the first time he was running for election...

A lovely combo would be Imran Khan as the Premier with Mohammadmian Soomro (the ex-banker) as the President and Ahsan Saleem Hayat as the COA. Shaukat Aziz should take charge of the finance portfolio and continue the good work in improving our Economy and Financial Health.

I doutb Wise would still hold to his words above.I know Imran has some flaws,who doesnt.BUT HE has the biggest thing no one ever had,sincerity,which is soo apparent in his case.He is motivated,honest and has the courage to take on the stupid system.

Ppl say he isnt politically mature and doesnt compromise with other polticians,well when he tried that by allying with the opposition,they again blamed him for that .i guess ppl look for his mistakes only.

Oh he is a playboy,who gives a ####,bb was the BJ queen,Musharraf is a self proclaimed drunkard who takes prides in his parents tango success.I am only concerned with what he cando,and ive liked what i have seen so far(his social work).

I doubt the U.S. would want him to come into power,he is exactly the kind of person they dont want to be heading ANY muslim country,traditional and progressive at the same time and someone who cares abt his country.It wud be much easier for us to lose the dictator/corrupt leader/extremist image of our leaders.His only chance is a fair election,positive coverage from the media and ppl realizing what potential he has.If GEO gave his party the same amount of coverage they gave MQM,he might actually win a few seats.I DONT expect him to win the first time around,but slowly he can gain ground and probably grow as a leader.If his party gets 20 or so seats to start with,that wud be a good start(they had one in the first election i believe).

I doutb Wise would still hold to his words above.I know Imran has some flaws,who doesnt.BUT HE has the biggest thing no one ever had,sincerity,which is soo apparent in his case.He is motivated,honest and has the courage to take on the stupid system.

Ppl say he isnt politically mature and doesnt compromise with other polticians,well when he tried that by allying with the opposition,they again blamed him for that .i guess ppl look for his mistakes only.

Oh he is a playboy,who gives a ####,bb was the BJ queen,Musharraf is a self proclaimed drunkard who takes prides in his parents tango success.I am only concerned with what he cando,and ive liked what i have seen so far(his social work).

I doubt the U.S. would want him to come into power,he is exactly the kind of person they dont want to be heading ANY muslim country,traditional and progressive at the same time and someone who cares abt his country.It wud be much easier for us to lose the dictator/corrupt leader/extremist image of our leaders.His only chance is a fair election,positive coverage from the media and ppl realizing what potential he has.If GEO gave his party the same amount of coverage they gave MQM,he might actually win a few seats.I DONT expect him to win the first time around,but slowly he can gain ground and probably grow as a leader.If his party gets 20 or so seats to start with,that wud be a good start(they had one in the first election i believe).

Have you noticed that recently he's been getting more and more media coverage.

If you want 'charity and philanthropy' then Mr Edhi and the Agha khan win hands down..the difference is that their 'charity and philanthropy' isn't rammed down the throats of the Pakistanis at every given moment for political capital. Mr Edhi is the national health service for a country of 160 million people and asks nothing in return Mr Agha Khan builds world class institutions in Pakistan without extending the begging bowl to the poor in contributions. Jemima Goldsmiths father summed up Mr Khan very well as never going to be anything more than a sportsman, since it was Mr Goldsmith that offered Mr Khan unlimited funds to fight the first election .. Mr Goldsmith was also checking the pulse of the politicians of Pakistan for his son in law who might have been a future prime minster of Pakistan.. but our Mr Khan was above taking money from a Jew (but marrying the guys daughter was ok ). Mr Goldsmith was indirectly linked to the defeat of the Tory party in 1997 with his financial support of UKIP..a party formed to get the UK out of the EU..splitting the conservative vote and allowing New Labour to win, incidentally Mr Goldsmith ousted a safe Tory seat himself.I seriously believe that Pakistan is far more precious than being the leaders morality and religious test, harsh unpopular choices have to be made and some times even sacrifices for short term gain for long term objectives, Mr Khan has only ever pandered to the lowest common denominator in Pakistan, basically people who are looking for hero's and not leaders. Mr Khan tries to be everyman and ends up being no man at all. Ending up at that defining moment of his life as a cricket world cup winner. The present leadership have proven themselves as sincere by making Pakistan a viable economic entity on the world stage. There are problems inside Pakistan like all nations but them problems take time to solve and Pakistan is taking the steps necessary to tackle them problems.

"There is none worthy of worship but He, glorified be He: [Far is He] above that which they associate [with Him]" (Qur'an 9:31)

Not equal are the owners of the fire and the owners of the Garden. The owners of the Garden, they are the victorious. [Quran 59:20]

Allah knows best [who are] your enemies. Allah is sufficient as a Friend, and Allah is sufficient as a Helper. [4:45]

Fudayl ibn Iyaad said: "Verily, if an action was done sincerely for the sake of Allah but was not correct, it will not be accepted by Allah. And if the action was correct but not done sincerely it will not be accepted until the act is sincere and correct. For it to be sincere, it has to be done for the sake of Allah, and in order for it to be correct, it has to agree to the sunnah."

the Messenger of Allah pbuh says; “whoever does not care about the affairs of the Muslims is not one of them.”

To be honest with you guys, i have no confidence in Imran Khan. He is like a foolish friend who would throw a stone on your head to kill a fly. He hasn't been taken seriously and already taken too many political somersaults. I still remember the day when he said he would spread literacy after sucess of Shauket Khanam and won't inter politics. He did exactly opposite. Then he went after "Brown Sahibs" and "Islamic" idealogy, and then we had his illegitimate daughter poping up in the media. He is a flip flop. I would like to see a clear roadmap from him. based on facts not a fantacy lores created inorder to attarct votes.If sincereity is anything you guys would be talking about Asghar Khan. I dont know of any corruption charges against him.

"....What the Ulama have forgotten is their role in creating a good human being. I don't even mean a good Muslim. Whether Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu- what matters is the creation of a good person above all else: Someone who obeys the law, has a respect for the fundamental rights and needs of others, has a sense of social obligation and duty. When such individuals are around, creating an Islamic society that is just and equal is easy..........."

Syed Haider Farooq Maudoodi the son of Syed Maulana Maudoodi, founder of the Jamaat-e Islami

AoaI'm not defending anyone but Benazir graduated from Harvard with a degree in political science, and she did her masters from Oxford in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics! And apparently Imran Khan has done Economics from Keble College, Oxford.

w/salaam

aparantly, we (the people of Pakistan) paid for the generals education...he is qualified from Sandhurst Military School, well versed in warfare and geo politics...as a matter of fact....ever since he joined the army, he has continuesly done courses and educated himself to excell in every field..

lets talk about shaukat aziz...shauket aziz prior to coming into Pakistani politics was the vice president of the worlds bigest bank (citi bank) and was next in line for presidency....this makes benazirs and khans degrees look pale in comparison....we have a star team....we have one of the worlds foremost economic geniuses driving the countries development and we have a highly qualified educated and experienced general (general is no insult, 90% of us can never become one because we are not intelectualy able enough!) in the tactitioners seat..

we are rising...tomorrow is ours...be aware world, we are muslim...! we are back....NO to injustice!